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Committee advances AB 299 to stabilize temporary hotel, motel and short‑term rental housing for disaster‑displaced families
Summary
AB 299 would allow families displaced by natural disasters to remain in hotels, motels or short‑term rentals for more than 30 days without creating a landlord‑tenant relationship, a measure intended to reduce disruptive monthly relocations and provide continuity for children and families during recovery.
Assemblymember Quirk Silva presented AB 299 on behalf of Assemblymember Gabriel. The bill would allow families displaced by wildfire or other disasters to remain in hotels, motels and short‑term rentals for more than 30 days without imposing ordinary landlord‑tenant rules that lodging operators say can deter longer stays.
Supporters said the change would reduce disruptive month‑to‑month shuffling and give families, including those with school‑age children, greater stability during recovery. Mark Isidrio, representing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, told the committee the county had seen thousands of displaced households and that temporary housing stability is a critical step to prevent residents from falling into longer‑term homelessness.
The bill builds on earlier legislation adopted for homelessness shelter programs; in 2022 the Legislature allowed hotels and motels to house people in shelter programs for more than 30 days without triggering a landlord‑tenant relationship, and in 2024 that measure was made permanent. AB 299 extends the same legal assurance to families displaced by disasters.
The California Hotel and Lodging Association said it supports the bill if amended and has worked with the author’s office on clarifying language. Other supporters included California YIMBY, California Association of Realtors, the chamber and the Housing Action Coalition. There was no registered opposition in the hearing.
Committee members praised the bill as a practical tool for disaster response and voted to pass AB 299 out of committee.
Outcome and next steps: AB 299 passed to the next committee (as recorded in the hearing record) with stakeholders continuing to refine technical language to balance operators’ liability concerns and tenant protections.
Votes at a glance: The motion to pass AB 299 was carried by the committee on a recorded aye vote during the hearing. Roll call reflects an affirmative result among members present.
